Sadly, sometimes pregnancy can go wrong. You may have a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, birth trauma or the death of the baby.
If you are pregnant and you think something is wrong, you should contact your GP.
Some symptoms might be a sign you need urgent help and you may need to attend your local A&E immediately:
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe pain in your tummy
- Pain in your shoulder
- Dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness
More information:
- NHS Inform: When pregnancy goes wrong
- NHS: Miscarriage (pregnancy loss less than 24 weeks of pregnancy)
- NHS: Stillbirth (pregnancy loss after 24 weeks of pregnancy)
- NHS: Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside of the womb)
Local Services:
Local Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPACs) provide care for people experiencing early pregnancy and are now accepting self-referrals.
Local EPACs:
- Southmead Hospital EPAC, Cotswold Outpatients.
- St Michael’s Hospital EPAC, Gynaecology department.
- Weston General Hospital EPAC, Ashcombe Birth Centre.
- NBT: further information and how to self-refer
Pregnancy loss can be a very difficult time for people and support is available:
- The Miscarriage Association: Pregnancy Loss Information & Support
- Miscarriage Association UK (BSL): Talking about pregnancy loss, with BSL video)
- Tommy’s: Baby loss information and support
- Tommy’s: Miscarriage support for specific groups, including Black women and birthing people, LGBT, men, and South Asian community
- Sands: Sands: Saving babies’ lives: Supporting bereaved families after the death of a baby
- Willow Tree: Local support following all types of baby loss
Information in other languages:
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: Translation patient information
- Medline Plus (USA): Miscarriage information in multiple languages
Page last reviewed: 23 January 2026
Next review due: 23 January 2027
